Israel Shifts Focus From Gaza To West Bank. Why? Has Trump Administration Inadvertently Given Israel A Unique Opportunity To Extend Superiority In The Region?

Israel has ramped up its military operations in the West Bank, targeting suspected Palestinian militant groups, setting up roadblocks, and isolating entire communities. This intensification has claimed at least 10 lives and coincides with the precarious ceasefire in Gaza, where hostages are being released in phases, and Israeli troops are gradually pulling out.

So, why the sudden shift in focus? Some say the answer lies in the emboldened stance of Israel’s right-wing factions, fueled in part by sentiments echoed during the Trump administration. Certain officials had suggested that Israel might have the right to annex significant parts—or even all—of the West Bank, home to over three million Palestinians. This narrative seems to have empowered those pushing for expanded Israeli control in the region.

On the Ground

Several woke up to find iron gates blocking the roads out of Taybeh—toward Jericho, Jerusalem, and Nablus. This story is echoed across the West Bank, where everyday commutes have become grueling odysseys since the Gaza ceasefire began.

The situation recalls the restrictions of the Second Intifada in the early 2000s. Checkpoints along the separation barrier, once a grudgingly accepted part of life, now seem more obstructive than ever. Following the October 2023 Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war, delays at checkpoints increased—but now, movement between cities and villages has reached a near standstill.

This growing clampdown, many are asking –  Is this a temporary security measure or part of a larger plan to reassert control over the West Bank? And how much of this stems from an ideological momentum set in motion years ago?

What’s Happening in the West Bank?

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced a shift in military strategy in the West Bank, drawing on lessons from the recent Gaza offensive. He emphasized that the goal is to eliminate militant groups and, in his words, “ensure that terrorism does not return.”

At the heart of this campaign is the Jenin refugee camp, a densely populated hub of narrow alleys and long-standing militant activity. Katz revealed that Operation “Iron Wall” aims to dismantle terrorist networks and infrastructure within the camp, using tactics honed in Gaza. “We are ensuring that terrorism does not return to the camp after the operation is over,” he stated.

The operation in Jenin is broader and more aggressive than previous military actions. Hundreds of civilians have fled, with Jenin Governor Kamal Abu Al-Roub reporting that the camp is now nearly deserted. Water supplies have been cut, and the area is effectively under siege.

Intensifying Restrictions Across the West Bank

The IDF has also expanded its presence across the West Bank, setting up more than 900 military checkpoints, including 173 new iron gates since October 2023, according to the Colonization and Wall Resistance Commission. These measures have caused severe disruptions-

• In Jenin: Over 20,000 people have been displaced, with many arrested.

• In Ramallah and Nablus: New roadblocks and reinforced checkpoints have stranded thousands, forcing commuters to endure hours-long delays.

• In Jericho: Residents were unable to leave as military checkpoints were shut, and tear gas was reportedly used against people waiting at a checkpoint.

Tragically, a woman suffered a fatal heart attack near Hebron after being denied transfer to a hospital by the IDF, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported.

Daily Life Under Siege. Concrete Blocks, Metal Gates, and a Life Under Siege

Mustafa Barghouti, an independent Palestinian politician, described the situation as dire. A journey from Ramallah to Jericho, which normally takes 45 minutes, now stretches to five hours on some days. The scale and intensity of these operations are unparalleled, leaving the West Bank in a state of heightened tension and uncertainty.

Life in the West Bank has taken a drastic turn, with concrete blocks and orange metal gates becoming the new normal for Palestinians. According to Haaretz, an Israeli left-leaning newspaper, Israeli authorities ordered the military to operate dozens of checkpoints across the West Bank during the first 42 days of the Gaza ceasefire.

The Palestinian Wall Resistance Commission reported that 146 iron gates were installed since the Gaza war began, with 17 added in January alone. These additions have pushed the total number of roadblocks in the West Bank to 898.

“Checkpoints were bad enough, but now they’ve boxed us in with gates,” said Anas Ahmad, stuck in hours-long traffic after a once-open road near Birzeit University was abruptly closed. Hundreds of drivers idled in frustration, waiting for soldiers to let them through.

The gates, lighter versions of traditional checkpoints, lack the concrete shelters but still serve as choke points where soldiers stop vehicles, check IDs, and search for “suspicious” activity.

The Human Toll of a “Truce”

A policeman from Ramallah points out that the moment the truce was signed, everything changed 180 degrees. The Israeli government is making the Palestinian people pay the price.

The delays aren’t just inconvenient—they’re dehumanizing. “It’s like we’re rabbits in a cage,” said one Ramallah resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons. “In the morning, we’re let out to move around, but by evening, we’re herded back into our cage.”

Meanwhile, illegal Israeli settlers roam freely, often attacking Palestinian vehicles with impunity.

A Disturbing Pattern

“We are witnessing disturbing patterns of unlawful force in the West Bank—force that is unnecessary, indiscriminate, and disproportionate,” said Angelita Caredda, the Norwegian Refugee Council’s regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. “These tactics mirror those used in Gaza.”

However, the Israeli military defends the checkpoints as essential in combating terrorism stating that they allow us to screen for terrorists while enabling civilian movement.

But for Palestinians, the gates and roadblocks feel less like security measures and more like a systematic effort to stifle their freedom.

Life in the West Bank Amid Ceasefire Shifts

As Israel’s security cabinet approved the Gaza ceasefire, it reportedly added a new objective – strengthening security in the West Bank. However, for Palestinians, this shift has brought more uncertainty and instability.

Israeli human rights group B’Tselem stated that Israel is “merely shifting its focus from Gaza to other areas it controls in the West Bank.” This transition has disrupted lives further, making even the simplest plans feel impossible.

The toll of restrictions is staggering. A 2019 study by Jerusalem’s Applied Research Institute estimated Palestinians lost 60 million work hours annually due to movement restrictions. Yet the deeper, more immediate impact is the inability to plan ahead, whether it’s a commute, a visit to family, or even daily errands.

Shifting Focus, Mounting Tensions

The ceasefire in Gaza has allowed Israeli forces to redirect their focus to the West Bank, where militant activity aligned with Hamas has been on the rise. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced Tuesday that Israel has “begun to change the security concept” in the region, stating that security in the West Bank is now an official war goal. While the Prime Minister’s Office has not confirmed this, the shift in military operations is clear.

This intensified focus includes allegations that Iran is fueling militant activity in the West Bank by supplying weapons. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared, “We will not allow Judea and Samaria to become like Gaza or southern Lebanon. We will act to cut off Iran’s tentacles in the refugee camps and ensure security for our residents.”

Growing Fractures

Israeli officials have criticized the Palestinian Authority (PA) for its inability to contain militant groups. A December operation by Palestinian security forces in Jenin reportedly yielded minimal progress against factions such as the Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Qassem Brigades, who operate under the collective banner of the Jenin Battalion.

Israel’s Channel 11 quoted a senior military source saying, “The PA did what they could. We recognized the need to act against the terrorists’ capabilities; we are no longer waiting for their intentions. Our goal is to neutralize the Jenin battalion.”

How the Trump Administration Affects Dynamics in the West Bank

For some right-wing Israelis, the Trump administration represented a golden opportunity to consolidate Israeli dominance in the region, especially given its alignment with their ideological views and the weakening of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. abandoned its long-standing position that Israeli settlements in the West Bank were illegal under international law. This marked a significant departure from previous administrations and emboldened settlement expansion. When Biden assumed office, he reversed this stance, reinstating the view that settlements violate international law.

Jewish settlements in the West Bank, home to over 500,000 settlers, remain a contentious issue. The area, captured by Israel during the 1967 war, is considered occupied territory under international law, making the settlements illegal.

Controversial Nominees and Statements

Several Trump-era appointees and nominees have openly supported the annexation of the West Bank. For example –

• Elise Stefanik, slated to become the U.S. ambassador to the UN, publicly endorsed the idea that Israel has a “biblical right” to annex the territory.

• Mike Huckabee, Trump’s expected nominee for ambassador to Israel, has previously denied the existence of a Palestinian identity, saying, “There is no such thing as a Palestinian.”

Settler Violence and Sanctions

On his first day in office, Trump lifted sanctions imposed by the Biden administration on far-right settler groups and individuals implicated in violence against Palestinians. The impact of settler violence has been severe: in 2024 alone, the UN documented 1,420 incidents of settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, resulting in casualties and property damage.

While some settlers involved in violence have faced arrests, the Israeli Defense Ministry recently decided to release individuals held under administrative detention. The decision aligns with the Gaza ceasefire deal, which involves releasing detainees on both sides.

Israeli Finance Minister Israel Katz defended the release of settlers, framing it as a message of support for the settlement movement. He stated that settlements are “at the forefront of the struggle against Palestinian terror and growing security challenges.”

The Last Bit

The Trump administration’s policies have left a lasting impact on the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They emboldened hardliners and deepened divisions, particularly in the West Bank. With a resurgence of settler violence and a shift in U.S. policy under Biden, the region continues to face with escalating tensions and a complex web of political, religious, and territorial disputes.

While Israel claims these measures are necessary for security, they come at a steep cost to everyday life in the West Bank. The mounting roadblocks, checkpoints, and military operations are creating an environment where plans, hopes, and stability feel out of reach for Palestinians.

The situation also risks straining the Gaza ceasefire, showing the fragility of peace in the region and the ever-present challenges of addressing both security and human rights.

For now, life in the West Bank remains a daily struggle, marked by endless waits, limited movement, and a growing sense of entrapment.